Kwara State to Emerge as Africa's Innovation Hub, Says Commissioner

Date: 2024-12-07

The Commissioner for Business, Innovation, and Tourism in Kwara State, Damilola Adelodun, has expressed confidence in the state's potential to emerge as a global hub for high technology and innovation, akin to Silicon Valley in California, USA.

Adelodun highlighted the state's strategic investments in tech infrastructure and innovation hubs, which he believes will attract world-class companies and position Kwara as a leader in the tech ecosystem.

Silicon Valley, renowned as the headquarters for tech giants such as Apple Inc., HP Inc., eBay, and Netflix, serves as an inspiration for Kwara's vision to transform its economy through technological innovation and entrepreneurship.

Speaking about the activities of her ministry, Adelodun said, “In terms of legacy, one of the key projects I have been lucky to head is the Ilorin Innovation Hub. It is more of a large ICT centre, which is arguably the biggest in West Africa. We also have a partnership with IHS Towers, and there is a fund of about N1bn earmarked for the running and for the programmes, training, as well as start-ups and venture capitals that would come here. We have a mandate to at least bring up two unicorns before the end of 2025.”

Reacting to critics who are of the opinion that the state is not a technology hub and should focus on other pressing issues, the young and beautiful government official said, “Interestingly enough, Kwara State has a big tech community. There are a lot of tech businesses started by Kwarans, including Kuda Bank. So, in terms of a tech hub, Kwara is it, and we want it to be the next Silicon Valley. If you think tech, we want you to think Kwara; not Lagos or Abuja. That is the vision for Ilorin Innovation Hub.”

Shedding more light on why the state recently hosted the Best of Nollywood Awards, the commissioner said, “The Sugar Film Factory, where the event was held, is under the purview of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Technology. People often forget that entertainment and culture have a business element to them. That was why we refurbished the rundown facility, which used to be a sugar factor. The studio is currently equipped for news, podcast and movie productions. We also have a training institute for youths, actors and filmmakers.

“In sponsoring and hosting BON, we looked at the benefit it could bring to the state, especially in terms of showcasing Kwara. I think it was very successful and we are looking forward to have more in the state.

“Many of the actors, filmmakers and creatives who attended the event loved what they saw, and many of them already have plans to do things in the state.”

 

Cloud Tag: What's trending

Click on a word/phrase to read more about it.

Kwara Primary Health Care Development Agency     Titus Suberu-Ajibola     Mazars Consulting     Olatunji Moronfoye     Olohungbebe     Victor Gbenga Yusuf     Ilorin Like-Minds     Federal Road Maintenance Agency     Isiaka Abdulrazak     Saliu Tunde Bello     Binta Abubakar Mora     Ayekale     Barakat Community Secondary School     Ladi Hassan     Salihu Alhaji Musa     Joseph Offorjama     Bluenile Associates     Mohammed Jimoh Faworaja     Abiodun Oyedepo     Idi-Ape     Tunde Akanbi     Abdullahi AbdulMajeed     Isapa     Yusuf Ibitokun Sherifat     Ayotunde Emmanuel Alao     Shehu Alimi Foundation For Peace And Development     Yemi Sanni     Funmi Salau     Kola Shittu     Presidential Election     Tunji Olawuyi     Issa Baba     Adanla-Irese     Taofik Abdulkareem     Oba Of Jebba     Is\'haq Modibbo Kawu     Makama Of Ilorin     Ganiyu Abolarin     Dankaka     Earlyon Technologies     Bankole Omishore     Olaoye B. Felix     Adamu Jemilat-Baki     Abubakar Bature Sulu-Gambari     Olomu     Ahmad Belgore     Taibat Ayinke Ahmed     Sheikh Ariyibi     New Model Police Station     Esinrogunjo     Mufti Of Ilorin     Amoyo     Muritala Awodun     David Adesina     Federal Polytechnic Offa     AbdulKareem Yusuf Danhawa     Bamidele Aluko     Suleiman Rotimi Iliasu     Modibo Kawu     Illyasu Abdullahi     Wahab Femi Agbaje     Kamoru Kadiri     Abubakar Aliagan     Iyabo Adisa Ibiyeye     Kale Belgore     Kayode Oyin Zubair     Saliu Alamoyo     Suleiman Yahya Alapansapa     Mumeen Lah     Isiaka Saka Opobiyi     Edret Sabi Abel     Aliyu Umar     Dairo Kunle Paul     Isiaka Rafiu Mope     Oba Abdulkadir La\'aro     Association Of Kwara State Online Media Practitioners     Elections    

Cloud Tag: What's trending

Click on a word/phrase to read more about it.

Moses Afolayan     Ibrahim Abdulqadir Abikan     Bankole Omisore     Otuka     Temitope Ogunbanke     Young Progressives Party     Special Adviser On Digital Innovation     Elelu     Nupe     KSIRS     Grillo     Ilorin Emirate Staff Association     Congress For National Consensus     Sulyman Age AbdulKareem     Wahab Abayawo     Y.A. Abdulkareem     Quareeb Islamic Association     Nigeria Customs Service     Akume     Abdulfatai Ahmed     Ajia-Bako     SSA Youth Engagement     Mohammed Saidu     AIT Ilorin     Alfa Belgore     Jimoh Olusola Imam     Abdulfatah Ahmed     Ayobami Akanbi     Ibrahim Bio     General Tunde Idiagbon International Airport     Olayinka Jelili Yusuf     Olatunji Ibrahim     Salami Adekunle     Dan Iya Of Ilorin     Muhammad Yahya     Babaloja-General     Joseph Yemi Ajayi     Vasolar Consultoria     Iyabo Adewuyi     Dauda Adeniran Adeshola     KWTV     Aliyu Muhammad Saifudeen     Victor Gbenga Yusuf     Salake     Pategi     Hamidu Olowo     Ashiru     Musa Alhassan Buge     Ijagbo     Damilola Yusuf Adelodun     Kanu Agabi     Rabiu Kwankwaso     Oluwatoyin Lukman     Javed Khan     Convocation Ceremonies     UNIFEMGA     Kwara Poly     Logun     Saadu Gbogbo Iwe     Alabi Olayemi Abdulrazak     Hussein Oloyede     Air Peace     Kwara Apc     20 Billion Bond     Ghali Muhammed     Sebastine Obasi     Ganmo Power Sub-Station     Leke Ogungbe     Galland Marcias     Chief Imam Of Ilorin     HAMFAT Clinic And Maternity     Mujtabah Bature     Halimat Yusuf     Folashade Omoniyi     IHS Towers     Hakeem Idris     Admiralty Villa